Lee International

Changes in Accelerated Examination Practice in Korea

Starting August 1, 2023, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has implemented a PPH improvement policy aimed at reducing the processing period at each examination stage for applications under accelerated examination filed through the PPH system based on Unite States (US) or Japanese (JP) applications.

Revisions to the Korean Trademark Act to take effect on May 1, 2024

Revisions to the Korean Trademark Act (“KTA”), passed by the Korean National Assembly on October 6, 2023 and promulgated on October 31, 2023, will take effect on May 1, 2024.

The Korean discovery process is to be introduced

South Korea currently lacks a formal evidence collecting process available in a lawsuit, posing practical difficulties for litigants in IP infringement cases seeking evidence. For example, in 2019, a Korean company, LG Chem (now LG Energy Solutions)

IPHC ruled that the patentee's data supplementation period following MFDS’ request during the approval process cannot be conclusively presumed as a delay attributable to the patentee.

The patent term extension (PTE) is available for the duration in which the patentee could not work the patented invention while seeking to obtain regulatory approval. However, any delay attributable to

The Korean Customs Service (KCS) seizes around 2 million illegally imported items for online distribution in the first half of 2023

The Korean Customs Service (KCS) reported the seizure of approximately 2 million items, amounting to an estimated 30 billion Korean won (USD 30 million), during the first half of this year. The confiscated items, which include co

Selected as “South Korea Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year” - The Global IP Awards 2023

Lee International IP & Law was selected South Korea Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year at The Global IP Awards 2023, presented jointly by IAM (Intellectual Asset Management) and WTR (World Trademark Review).